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    • Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970

    Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970

    06/05/2001

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    All Music Guide Review

    This impressive three-CD, 72-song set is the best compilation of music from the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s. It concentrates most heavily on the movement's apogee in the first half of the 1960s, but also touches upon its roots in mid-20th century performers like Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, the Weavers, Big Bill Broonzy, and Josh White. Although its evolution into folk-rock is documented lightly, the box encompasses that as well, with cuts by the likes of Judy Collins, Tim Buckley, Tom Rush, Fred Neil, Eric Andersen, Tim Hardin, and Richard & Mimi Fariña. In between are the giants of the early-'60s folk boom, such as Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Odetta, and Ian & Sylvia. And, unlike many a folk compilation, this is open-minded enough to include material by some of the more commercially oriented folk acts that helped popularize the style on a mass level, like the Kingston Trio, the Rooftop Singers (with their number one single "Walk Right In"), the Limeliters, the Chad Mitchell Trio, and Randy Sparks. Indeed, virtually every major North American performer of the style is represented, even the hard-to-license Bob Dylan (though Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, and James Taylor are not included due to licensing restrictions). Although the cuts by major figures are well selected, there are also numerous offerings by minor but notable contributors to the form, like the Journeymen (with future Mamas & the Papas leader John Phillips), Carolyn Hester, David Blue, and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band. Some of the rare or little-remembered cuts are highlights of the collection, like Sam Hinton's witty 1950 single "Old Man Atom (Talking Atomic Blues)"; Jean Ritchie's 1954 recording of "Nottamun Town"; Peggy Seeger's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (later a huge hit for Roberta Flack); Barry & Barry's "Another Man" (one of the Barrys being a pre-rock Barry McGuire); Judy Henske's seminal "High Flying Bird"; Judy Roderick's little-known 1964 electric folk-rock-blues treatment of "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"; Jesse Colin Young's pre-Youngbloods solo work "Four in the Morning"; Bonnie Dobson's original version of the folk and folk-rock standard "Morning Dew"; and even a young John Denver's 1966 cover of Pete Seeger's "Bells of Rhymney." The package is enhanced by lengthy liner notes, including extensive comments by Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

    Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970 Track Listing

  • Track#
  • Title
  • Artist
  • time
  • lyrics
  • 1
  • Hard Travelin'
  • Guthrie, Woody
  • 2:29
  • Sound Clip for Hard Travelin' from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 2
  • Old Man Atom (Talking Atomic Blues)
  • Hinton, Sam
  • 3:11
  • Sound Clip for Old Man Atom (Talking Atomic Blues) from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 3
  • Black, Brown and White
  • Broonzy, Big Bill
  • 3:04
  • Sound Clip for Black, Brown and White from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 4
  • Nottamun Town
  • Ritchie, Jean
  • 2:31
  • Sound Clip for Nottamun Town from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 5
  • Darlin' Cory
  • McCurdy, Ed
  • 2:48
  • Sound Clip for Darlin' Cory from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 6
  • One Meatball
  • White, Josh [1]
  • 3:42
  • Sound Clip for One Meatball from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 7
  • Little Boxes
  • Reynolds, Malvina
  • 1:37
  • Sound Clip for Little Boxes from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 8
  • I Was Born 10,000 Years Ago
  • Brand, Oscar
  • 2:40
  • Sound Clip for I Was Born 10,000 Years Ago from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 9
  • Midnight Special
  • Houston, Cisco
  • 2:24
  • Sound Clip for Midnight Special from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 10
  • Wasn't That a Time
  • Weavers
  • 2:14
  • Sound Clip for Wasn't That a Time from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 11
  • Spanish Is a Loving Tongue
  • Yarbrough, Glenn
  • 3:14
  • Sound Clip for Spanish Is a Loving Tongue from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 12
  • Swannanoa Tunnel
  • Darling, Erik
  • 2:51
  • Sound Clip for Swannanoa Tunnel from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 13
  • Sportin' Life
  • 3:21
  • Sound Clip for Sportin' Life from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 14
  • South Coast
  • Sparks, Randy
  • 2:58
  • Sound Clip for South Coast from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 15
  • Molly Dee
  • Kingston Trio
  • 1:45
  • Sound Clip for Molly Dee from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 16
  • I've Been Driving on Bald Mountain/Water Boy (Live)
  • Odetta
  • 6:57
  • Sound Clip for I've Been Driving on Bald Mountain/Water Boy (Live) from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 17
  • Raspberries, Strawberries
  • Bud & Travis
  • 3:07
  • Sound Clip for Raspberries, Strawberries from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 18
  • The Hammer Song (Live)
  • Seeger, Pete
  • 2:16
  • Sound Clip for The Hammer Song (Live) from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 19
  • Chase the Rising Sun
  • Journeymen
  • 2:15
  • Sound Clip for Chase the Rising Sun from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 20
  • Don't Let Your Deal Go Down
  • New City Lost Ramblers
  • 2:40
  • Sound Clip for Don't Let Your Deal Go Down from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 21
  • Betty and Dupree (Live)
  • 4:20
  • Sound Clip for Betty and Dupree (Live) from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 22
  • Coplas de Amor
  • Gooding, Cynthia
  • 2:59
  • Sound Clip for Coplas de Amor from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 23
  • San Francisco Bay Blues
  • Elliott, Ramblin' Jack
  • 1:58
  • Sound Clip for San Francisco Bay Blues from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 24
  • The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
  • Seeger, Peggy
  • 2:35
  • Sound Clip for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 25
  • Greenback Dollar
  • Axton, Hoyt
  • 3:17
  • Sound Clip for Greenback Dollar from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 26
  • Swing and Turn Jubilee
  • Hester, Carolyn
  • 2:19
  • Sound Clip for Swing and Turn Jubilee from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 27
  • Another Man
  • Barry & Barry
  • 1:46
  • Sound Clip for Another Man from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 28 (2)
  • Walk Right In
  • Rooftop Singers
  • 2:35
  • Sound Clip for Walk Right In from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 29 (2)
  • He Was a Friend of Mine
  • VanRonk, Dave
  • 3:33
  • Sound Clip for He Was a Friend of Mine from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 30 (2)
  • Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream
  • Mitchell, Chad Trio
  • 2:27
  • Sound Clip for Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 31 (2)
  • Nora's Dove (Dink's Song)
  • Big Three
  • 1:57
  • Sound Clip for Nora's Dove (Dink's Song) from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 32 (2)
  • 500 Miles
  • West, Hedy
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for 500 Miles from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 33 (2)
  • Four Strong Winds
  • Ian & Sylvia
  • 3:26
  • Sound Clip for Four Strong Winds from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 34 (2)
  • I Can't Help but Wonder Where I'm Bound
  • Paxton, Tom
  • 3:44
  • Sound Clip for I Can't Help but Wonder Where I'm Bound from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 35 (2)
  • Blowin' in the Wind
  • Peter, Paul & Mary
  • 2:59
  • Sound Clip for Blowin' in the Wind from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 36 (2)
  • Fog Horn
  • Gibson, Bob
  • 2:54
  • Sound Clip for Fog Horn from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 37 (2)
  • High Flying Bird
  • Henske, Judy
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for High Flying Bird from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 38 (2)
  • Boots of Spanish Leather
  • Dylan, Bob
  • 4:39
  • Sound Clip for Boots of Spanish Leather from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 39 (2)
  • You'se a Viper
  • VanRonk, Dave & the Ragtime Jug Stompers
  • 2:36
  • Sound Clip for You'se a Viper from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 40 (2)
  • Four in the Morning
  • Young, Jesse Colin
  • 3:26
  • Sound Clip for Four in the Morning from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 41 (2)
  • Euphoria
  • Holy Modal Rounders
  • 1:32
  • Sound Clip for Euphoria from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 42 (2)
  • There but for Fortune
  • Baez, Joan
  • 3:14
  • Sound Clip for There but for Fortune from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 43 (2)
  • Take Your Fingers Off It
  • Even Dozen Jug Band
  • 2:25
  • Sound Clip for Take Your Fingers Off It from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 44 (2)
  • Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
  • Roderick, Judy
  • 3:38
  • Sound Clip for Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 45 (2)
  • Tear Down the Walls
  • Martin & Neil
  • 2:37
  • Sound Clip for Tear Down the Walls from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 46 (2)
  • Morning Dew (Live)
  • Dobson, Bonnie
  • 4:27
  • Sound Clip for Morning Dew (Live) from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 47 (2)
  • Jordan's River
  • Modern Folk Quartet
  • 2:29
  • Sound Clip for Jordan's River from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 48 (2)
  • What's the Matter with the Mill
  • Koerner, Ray & Glover
  • 2:08
  • Sound Clip for What's the Matter with the Mill from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 49 (2)
  • Cod'ine
  • Sainte-Marie, Buffy
  • 5:05
  • Sound Clip for Cod'ine from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 50 (2)
  • Joshua Gone Barbados
  • VonSchmidt, Eric
  • 3:44
  • Sound Clip for Joshua Gone Barbados from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 51 (2)
  • Take a Whiff on Me
  • Greenbriar Boys
  • 2:15
  • Sound Clip for Take a Whiff on Me from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 52 (2)
  • Get Together
  • Hamilton Camp
  • 3:59
  • Sound Clip for Get Together from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 53 (3)
  • The Wabash Cannonball (Live)
  • Limeliters
  • 3:52
  • Sound Clip for The Wabash Cannonball (Live) from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 54 (3)
  • I Ain't Marching Anymore
  • Ochs, Phil
  • 2:36
  • Sound Clip for I Ain't Marching Anymore from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 55 (3)
  • Pack up Your Sorrows
  • Farina, Mimi & Richard
  • 3:00
  • Sound Clip for Pack up Your Sorrows from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 56 (3)
  • Drop Down Mama
  • Hammond, John
  • 2:44
  • Sound Clip for Drop Down Mama from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 57 (3)
  • Rag Mama
  • Kewskin, Jim & the Jug Band
  • 2:12
  • Sound Clip for Rag Mama from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 58 (3)
  • Bells of Rhymney
  • Denver, John
  • 4:52
  • Sound Clip for Bells of Rhymney from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 59 (3)
  • Early Morning Rain
  • Lightfoot, Gordon
  • 3:06
  • Sound Clip for Early Morning Rain from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 60 (3)
  • Thirsty Boots
  • Andersen, Eric
  • 5:14
  • Sound Clip for Thirsty Boots from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 61 (3)
  • Reason to Believe
  • Hardin, Tim
  • 2:00
  • Sound Clip for Reason to Believe from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 62 (3)
  • Just Like a Woman
  • Havens, Richie
  • 4:47
  • Sound Clip for Just Like a Woman from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 63 (3)
  • Suzanne
  • Collins, Judy
  • 4:25
  • Sound Clip for Suzanne from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 64 (3)
  • The Dolphins
  • Neil, Fred
  • 4:03
  • Sound Clip for The Dolphins from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 65 (3)
  • Wondrous Love
  • Kathy & Carol
  • 2:30
  • Sound Clip for Wondrous Love from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 66 (3)
  • Once I Was
  • Buckley, Tim
  • 3:24
  • Sound Clip for Once I Was from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 67 (3)
  • The Circle Game
  • Rush, Tom
  • 5:14
  • Sound Clip for The Circle Game from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 68 (3)
  • These 23 Days in September
  • Blue, David
  • 5:29
  • Sound Clip for These 23 Days in September from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 69 (3)
  • Candy Man
  • Mahal, Taj
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for Candy Man from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 70 (3)
  • Then Came the Children
  • Siebel, Paul
  • 4:10
  • Sound Clip for Then Came the Children from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 71 (3)
  • School Days
  • Wainwright, Loudon III
  • 3:07
  • Sound Clip for School Days from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


  • 72 (3)
  • The Motorcycle Song (Live)
  • Guthrie, Arlo
  • 7:56
  • Sound Clip for The Motorcycle Song (Live) from Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970


    • Credits of Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Boom, 1950-1970

    • Ted Myers
    • Producer, Compilation, Liner Notes
    • Vince Martin
    • Vocals, Project Assistant, Guitar (12 String)
    • Ian Tyson
    • Guitar, Project Assistant, Vocals
    • Erik Darling
    • Banjo, Project Assistant, Vocals, Guitar (12 String)
    • Fred Neil
    • Guitar, Vocals, Guitar (12 String)


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